The situation for the koala is dire across Australia. Now, a mining company has been given approval to clear critical koala habitat for CSG wells near Dalby in Queensland, according to a story on abc.net.au.
As the news report states, " The company's own reports submitted to the federal Environment Department said the 54 hectares of koala habitat for new coal seam gas wells are, "critical to the survival of the koala" would likely be affected."
The company has responded to criticism from conservationists by arguing they, "would create koala habitat in central Queensland to offset any damage".
However, conservationists argue that offsets are not the solution - saving habitat is.
"You get up to 70 and 80 per cent mortality once you move animals away from their homes," Australian Koala Foundation chief executive Deborah Tabart said.
"It's like saying to you tonight, 'I'm going to knock your home down, no worries, I'll build you another one, but just wait 20 years and in the meantime just wander around'."
Everything must be done to save the koala from slipping into extinction. Recent news reports showed a catastrophic population crash in the past 20 years in south-east Queensland alone.
Please sign the petition to demand the Premier of Queensland reverses the decision to allow koala habitat clearing near Dalby.
